Historical land degradation strongly influences soil geography : a case in Ethiopia’s mountains

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An equal right to inherit? Women's land rights, customary law and constitutional reform in Tanzania

This article explores contemporary contestations surrounding women’s inheritance of land in Africa. Legal activism has gained momentum, both in agendas for law reform and in test case litigation, which reached United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in ES and SC v. United Republic of Tanzania. Comparing the approach of Tanzania to that of its neighbours, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, this article explores patterns of resistance and omission towards enshrining an equal right to inherit in land and succession laws. It identifies two main reasons: neoliberal drivers for land law reform of the 1990s and sociopolitical sensitivity surrounding inheritance of land. It argues that a progressive approach to constitutional and law reform on women’s land rights requires understanding of the realities of claims to family land based on kinship relations. It calls for a holistic approach to land, marriage and inheritance law reform underpinned with constitutional rights to equality and progressive interpretations of living customary law

Soil survey as a basis for land evaluation

The objective of this paper is to elaborate on soil surveys in view of land evaluation, with emphasis on how soil surveys can meet the information demand for land evaluation. The paper starts by explaining what soil survey and land evaluation is about. Elements of soil survey and land evaluation relating to scale and purpose are discussed. The main focus will be on the linkage between soil survey, soil survey interpretation and physical land evaluation. Soil classification is a key component of soil surveys. The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)-endorsed soil classification system "World Reference Base for Soil Resources" is briefly elaborated upon as a means to summarize the wealth of information from soil profiles for the purpose of land evaluation. The different steps from soil parameters, to land characteristics and land qualities for use in land evaluation are explained. The theory is illustrated by a worked example: land evaluation for irrigated rice in the West-African Sahel, wherein the Fertility Capability Classification (FCC) system is used to make the bridge between soil and land informatio

Coming to Grips with Farmers' variety Selection- the Case of New Improved Rice Varieties under Irrigation in South East Tanzania

In collaboration with farmers, rice varieties were evaluated under small-scale irrigation in two villages of south east Tanzania for two consecutive cropping seasons (1999/2000 –2000/2001). The objectives were to give farmers access to new improved rice varieties; to identify the selection criteria farmers consider important in irrigated rice production; and to come to grips with their arguments. Farmers were provided with eleven improved varieties, which they compared with their own ones. Farmers' preferred varieties with short to medium maturity period, which produce many tillers and mature uniformly; and with long translucent aromatic grains for their own use and marketing. This study identified qualitative and quantitative evaluation criteria which farmers are using for selecting rice varieties. The implication for further research on rice in south east Tanzania is that the breeding programme should incorporate these attributes to address farmers' preferences, rather than to go for absolute maximum yield levels

Mr Napite's botanical knowledge: bridging farmers' and scientists' insights during participatory research

When farmers and scientists engage in participatory research, differences in their knowledge systems ought to be taken into account. Mr Napite is a farmer and plant expert with whom we studied relationships between soil fertility and fallow vegetation on the Makonde plateau in South Eastern Tanzania. Though his broad and detailed botanical knowledge is recognised by other local experts, this does not provide him any particular social status. Although he received extensive formal training, his botanical knowledge draws largely on personal and traditional concepts. Clear morphological characteristics, other than the reproductive related organs, are the key features he uses for identifying and classifying plants. His knowledge of plant species and their ecology is of comparable complexity with that of scientific knowledge. Though this is intricately linked to cultural aspects, this study illustrates that it is possible to bridge farmers' and scientists' insights during participatory research. (Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems: 2002 2(2): 45-58

Digital elevation models for mapping landscape units: a case study of Tunduru district, Tanzania

status: publishe

Artisanal mining in central Mozambique: Policy and environmental issues of concern

This paper analyses current policy and legislation in relation to the praxis of artisanal gold mining in Mozambique. Approximately 20,000 people are involved in artisanal mining in central Mozambique, producing annually 480-600kg of gold, 85-90% of which remains in the informal economy. The current legislation, however, is inadequate: artisanal mining is supposed to take place in predetermined "designated areas", none of which are gold-rich, and, artisanal miners are supposed to get an individual mining pass from provincial authorities, which rarely occurs. Artisanal miners' associations get support from the Mining Development Fund. Yet, as these organisations are only viable where ore permits long lasting exploitation, their members represent less than 30% of the workforce. Hence the scope for improving miners' working conditions and limiting their environmental impact through this type of organisation is limited. On the other hand, siltation of rivers and their pollution with heavy metals goes unchecked while the prohibition of artisanal mining, in and around conservation areas has proven counterproductive. The design of more appropriate policies, particularly those pertaining to the environment, hinges upon a better understanding of the socio-economic dynamics of the sector.Mining legislation Socio-economic dynamics Environmental impact Nature conservation Decentralisation policy

Landscapes and soils of South Eastern Tanzania: their suitability for cashew

status: publishe